UConn women look to rebound from sluggish Marquette game at Villanova

Huskies aim to clinch Big East regular-season title with a win over Villanova on Wednesday

Feb. 19, 2026 at 7:47am

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After a disappointing performance in a win over Marquette, the UConn women's basketball team looks to bounce back and clinch the Big East regular-season title when they face Villanova on the road on Wednesday. Head coach Geno Auriemma was critical of his team's lack of energy and intensity, particularly on the boards, in the Marquette game and expects a better effort against a Villanova squad that has won six straight in conference play.

Why it matters

UConn's loss to Marquette, while still resulting in a victory, exposed some weaknesses that the Huskies will need to address as they gear up for the NCAA Tournament. Rebounding has been an issue for UConn all season, and Auriemma wants to see more aggression and effort in that area. A win over Villanova would clinch the Big East regular-season title for the Huskies, who are looking to maintain their dominance in the conference.

The details

In the Marquette game, UConn was out-rebounded 42-29 and gave up 14 offensive boards to the Golden Eagles. Auriemma said the team has been playing under the assumption that every shot will go in, leading to a lack of effort on the glass. Freshman forward Blanca Quinonez, who has missed six straight games due to a shoulder injury, is expected to return against Villanova and provide an energy boost off the bench. The Huskies dominated Villanova 99-50 in their first meeting, but the Wildcats have won six straight in Big East play and will look to avenge that lopsided defeat on their home court.

  • UConn defeated Marquette 71-56 on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • UConn and Villanova will play on Wednesday, February 19, 2026 at 7 p.m.

The players

Geno Auriemma

Head coach of the UConn women's basketball team.

Sarah Strong

Sophomore phenom on the UConn women's basketball team.

Azzi Fudd

Star guard for the UConn women's basketball team.

Blanca Quinonez

Freshman forward for the UConn women's basketball team who has missed six straight games due to a shoulder injury.

Jasmine Bascoe

Star guard for the Villanova women's basketball team, leading the Big East in assists and second in scoring.

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What they’re saying

“It was good that we were put in that situation. But there's some things we've got to tighten up, obviously. (Marquette) did a great job on the boards, and we've got fix that when we get back. We need to have a different level of intensity I think on the defensive end, and more pace on offense. I thought we played slower than we've been playing lately.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head coach, UConn women's basketball

“We're under the impression that every shot we take is going to go in. Every shot we take, everybody just runs back on defense like 'that's going in,' and that's not the way you need to play. The best players in the world, Hall of Fame players, miss half their shots. If you take 10 shots, five of them are not going in. Generally speaking, the teams that win are the teams that control the other five, and we're not very good at that, so that's something that worries me going forward.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head coach, UConn women's basketball

“We need to play quickly and play fast, and it's the first game since she's been out that I think we really missed Blanca. She goes out there and shakes things up, so we have one less player that can create a lot of problems for the other team.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head coach, UConn women's basketball

What’s next

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The takeaway

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